Glossary of Zen Terms

Bodhidharma: The Buddhist monk who traveled from India to China early in the 6th century and is credited with being the founder of Zen in China and the first of the six so-called Zen Ancestors.

Bodhisattva: (Sanskrit) “Enlightenment being”. One who seeks enlightenment through a compassionate vow to liberate all beings.

Bodhicitta: (Sanskrit) The "mind of enlightenment" or "thought of awakening". A deeply felt intention to liberate all beings from suffering.

Buddha: Refers both to Shakyamuni Buddha, the root practitioner and teacher of what became known as Buddhism, and Buddha Nature.

Buddha nature: The intrinsic, or essential, awakened, interconnected, vital nature of all things.

Dana: (Sanskrit) “Generosity”. Giving, sharing, or contributing, whether in material, activity, or spirit.

Denbo (or Shiso): Transmission ceremony in which one becomes a Zen teacher (Sensei).

Denkai: Ceremony in which one becomes a Preceptor (or “priest” in monastic and monastic-emulating streams of Western Zen).

Dharma: Refers both to Buddhist teaching(s) and to manifest reality or phenomena.

Doan: Person playing the kesu.

Dogen Zenji: (1200–1253 CE): Founder of the Japanese school of Soto Zen.

Dokusan: Face-to-face meeting between a teacher and a student during which the student may discuss any matter relating to their practice, work on a koan, or simply be with the teacher.

Gassho: Gesture of placing the palms together.

Han: A wooden board that is struck with a mallet to signal the beginning of a practice period, especially at sesshin. It is also struck during the ceremony marking the end of the day.

Hara: An area of the abdomen, about two inches below the navel. Sometimes suggested as a point for attention during meditation.

Inka: The “final seal of approval” when a Sensei is recognized as a Roshi.

Ino: Chant leader. The Ino is responsible for all aspects of the liturgy service, selects and trains the instrumentalists, and leads oryoki practice during sesshins.

Inkin: A hand held bell used in Zen ceremonies and rituals.

Jiki: Timekeeper for a sesshin or for any meditation gathering. The jiki also leads kinhin.

Jukai: A ceremony of receiving the bodhisattva precepts, marking a formal commitment to the path of awakening. The student traditionally sews a rakusu, which is presented with a dharma name and a lineage chart.

Kensho: An experience of awakening; seeing into the true nature of things. Synonymous with satori.

Kentan: Morning greeting from the teacher to the participants during sesshin.

Kesa: A monk’s robe.

Kesu: Small bell used in Zen practice during chanting, and to signal the beginning and end of a meditation period.

Kinhin: Walking meditation.

Koan: A text or question on which a student reflects introspectively to develop and deepen insight.

Kyosaku: “Encouragement stick”.  A long flattened stick used to strike tight shoulder and back muscles during zazen to help relax them, overcome fatigue, and restore mental alertness.

Mokugyo: Carved wooden fish drum used to keep the beat during certain chants.

Oryoki: “Just enough.”  Formal meal ceremony in which the meal is served and eaten at the cushion, using nested bowls and simple utensils.

Practice leader: One who has been trained to provide basic instruction in meditation and liturgical forms and who facilitates group practice sessions.

Preceptor: One who is authorized to prepare others for and perform the rite of Jukai, and perform other ritual functions.

Precepts (a.k.a. Bodhisattva precepts or Zen precepts): The ethical principles at the heart of Zen practice, consisting of the Three Treasures, the Three Pure Precepts (ceasing from evil, practicing good, and benefitting all beings), and the Ten Grave Precepts (non-killing, non-stealing, non-lying, etc.).

Rakusu: Bib-like miniature kesa worn around the neck by practitioners who have committed to the path of awakening by taking Jukai.

Rohatsu: Annual sesshin commemorating the Buddha’s day of enlightenment.

Roshi: An honorific meaning something like “old teacher”.

Samadhi: A state of heightened awareness characterized by single-pointed attention.

Sangha: Community of Buddhist practitioners.

Samu: Work practice.

Satori: An experience of awakening; seeing into the true nature of things. Synonymous with kensho.

Seiza: Small bench for sitting in a kneeling position during meditation.

Sensei: Teacher.

Sesshin: Intensive meditation retreat.

Shashu: Hand position used in standing and walking meditation. The left hand is held in a loose fist at the hara, with the right hand covering the left hand.

Shikantaza: A form of meditation without any particular object of concentration, often translated as “just sitting” or “silent illumination.”

Tanto: Sesshin manager and coordinator.

Teisho: “Presentation of the shout”. A talk presenting a teacher’s direct understanding of the Dharma.

Tenzo: Cook.

Three Treasures: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.

Zabuton: A larger, flat, rectangular cushion on which a zafu is placed for sitting meditation.

Zafu: Round cushion used for sitting meditation.

Zazen: Seated meditation.

Zazenkai: A one-day meditation retreat.

Zendo: Zen meditation hall.